“It's not looking good," admitted Perez. “Hopefully we can get some good news later on. I think it's very important for our country to keep it.

“It's a great place for Formula 1. I mean the last four races have been the best, at a great venue. So hopefully we can keep it.

"There are so many countries out there that want F1 grands prix. So once you lose your place, I think it's very difficult to get it back. It cost us so much to get, but now if we lose a place it probably be the end.

"I think we would need to wait another 30, 50 years to get it back, and I think it’s a great exposure for your country to have a grand prix. So it would really be a shame to lose the Mexican Grand Prix.”

Asked by Motorsport.com if he’d been in touch with people back home such as his sponsor Carlos Slim, he said: “I'm in contact with the organisers, all of them.

"More as a Mexican to be honest, because as a Mexican I really want my country to be seen all around the world to show how good Mexico is. And I think F1 is what offers you that platform.”

Perez doesn’t know if alternative backing for his home event can be found.

“On that I have no idea, I’m not in charge on that and I don't really know," he said. "I guess it's hard because all the benefit is done for the government, so I don't know if it can be done another way."

The Racing Point driver also acknowledged that the loss of the race would be a major blow for future generations of Mexican racing drivers.

“The grand prix generated a lot of interest for the young generation," Perez said. "To race in your home country... probably before the Mexican Grand Prix, I spent the last 15 years without racing in Mexico.

"So it will be a shame, a big shame for the new generations, for the sport and for our country.”